Today's installment of campaign-related news items that won't necessarily generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers:
* In Virginia, Republican gubernatorial hopeful Ken Cuccinelli, who has avoided talking about his party's government shutdown plans in Congress, appeared at an event and sang Sen. Ted Cruz's (R-Texas) praises. According to a video captured by American Bridge, Cuccinelli specifically said American needs "more Ted Cruzes" in the Senate "to back up Jim DeMint." [Update: It looks like this was originally recorded last year, not this year.]
* Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is facing attack ads from his Republican primary challenger, and this week, he'll also face criticism from a Democratic super PAC, Senate Majority PAC, which made a $75,000 ad buy hitting McConnell over Washington gridlock.
* Though polls in New Jersey's Senate special election have bounced around lately, the latest statewide poll shows Cory Booker (D) leading Steve Lonegan (R) by 19 points, 52% to 33%.
* Rep. Spencher Bachus (R-Ala.) announced this morning that he will retire at the end of this Congress. Bachus, a conservative, is known for his support for comprehensive immigration reform.
* CNN will presumably now be eligible to host debates for the 2016 Republican presidential candidates -- the network has scrapped its plans for a documentary on Hillary Clinton.
* And if it looks like U.S. House members aren't too worried about losing in 2014, there's a good reason for that -- House incumbents currently enjoy "an 11-to-1 fundraising advantage over their 2014 challengers."